Intellectuals and public positions

I am not a fan of Arundhati Roy and I qualified many of her public positions, regarding the Middle East especially, superficial and emotional, without any connection with the reality. My interest in her case, as in the case of other public intellectuals, is the public reaction following statements and positions expressed on sensitive political problems. The latest scandal is related to her view of an independent Kashmir, stirring protests and media calls for lynchage and a possible trial for sedition.

Right or wrong, she expressed a point of view, as an intellectual. Her opinion is not the perfect truth, and should be took as such, and eventually discussed and refuted. This is the normal way, but very often it is happening exactly the opposite.